About the Hub

Its construction was funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and was constructed using local materials, which as far as possible were natural and/or recycled (whilst complying with stringent building control requirements). It was built by residents, local tradesman, and volunteers. The Douglas-Fir timber frame supports a massive turfed roof. Straw bales provide insulation in the walls and roof, and heating is supplied by a combination hydro power (underfloor), passive solar gain, and biomass (Masonry stove). The building is entirely off-grid and run on renewables.

The Community Hub Mandate:

The Community Hubs main raison d’etre will be a centre for the research, education and promotion of low-impact living. This will be achieved through the provision of hands-on courses, tours, presentations, visitor and volunteer opportunities along with a range of outreach work.

In addition, it will act as both an organisational and practical centre for the Tir y Gafel smallholdings, providing a meeting space as well as facilities for processing their land-based produce and exchanging goods. The hub will also provide a focal point for facilities and services provided for the local community such as a hall, seasonal shop (part-time) and seasonal café (part-time). The hub will assist land based livelihoods in the local area by providing an opportunity for producers, local to the site, to sell their goods.

The Hub will be managed in such a manner so as to treat all user groups with fairness and consideration. The hub shall be operated in such a way that it does not have a negative effect on the living standards of the Tir y Gafel residents nor cause a breach of their management plan.